I traveled through Costa Rica for two months about 2 years ago…. and it was absolutely incredible!!! Beaches, tropical rainforests, waterfalls, wonderful friendly people. I woke up every morning to the sound of howler monkeys… volunteered for a few days at a nature reserve and got to hold and feed a three month old baby howler monkey.
The trees are incredible. You can’t imagine the immensity of a rainforest until you’ve seen one in person. The pictures I took don’t begin to do it justice. The place is just awesome. I’d go back in heartbeat.
I stayed primarily on the pacific coast with Montezuma being my favorite location. It’s a small beach town made up of people from all over the world. I ate breakfast every morning at this adorable open air cafe while spider monkeys tried to steal my fruit off my plate, then I’d hike up to a nearby waterfall, then spend time reading and relaxing on the beach. I rented a 4×4 and went to check out neighboring beaches. Had the delicious vegetable fajita at the restaurant Cocolores (if it’s still there). It was awesome. I highly recommend Montezuma. I was 19 and without much funds so I opted for cheap accommodations and had absolutely no complaints.
I went during the wet season so there were fewer tourists and accommodations were cheaper. I would say I averaged about $12 a night for a double room. If you’re not a hotel snob you should be fine staying in this price range. Rooms were clean and safe… they were just very basic. Even if I went back now, with a decent income at my disposal, I would STILL stay in these cheaper hotels. Enjoy being closer to nature… don’t go the resort route, it’s not worth it. I also visited Dominica and it was very nice… but I didn’t fall in love with it the way I did with Montezuma. Playa Conchal up near Portrero was beautiful.
Whatever you do just stay away from large cities. There’s no point to going to Costa Rica for that. I’d stay in small beach towns. Enjoy the “Pura vida”. I can’t imagine there would be any way you would not enjoy yourself. just DREAMING about being back there.